Relief of the photosensitivity of erythropoietic protoporphyria by pyridoxine.
Twenty-five years ago the use of pyridoxine was described for the treatment of photosensitivity eruptions. We report two cases of erythropoietic protoporphyria, which were only moderately responsive to beta-carotene and sunscreens, whereas the use of pyridoxine has been associated with a marked reduction in photosensitivity without evidence of adverse effects. Regarding the mechanism of action, we can only speculate that pyridoxine could be mediated by increased endogenous nicotinamide production. We believe that our results warrant therapeutic trial of oral pyridoxine in patients with unrelieved photosensitivity as a result of erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Ross
J B
JB
Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Moss
M A
MA
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000150:complications*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects
D011524:Protoporphyrins; D011736:Pyridoxine